A Summer Hiking Plan

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Perhaps it’s because I’m a chronic planner, but more so it’s just because I love hiking so damn much I have created this summer hiking plan for the upcoming year. I want to maximize the number of incredible hiking trails I get to explore. Instead of reaching each weekend wondering “where to next?” I can just refer to this trusty plan, grab my boots and go!

I’m a fair weather hiker, I’ll admit it. I will still occasionally venture out when it’s raining as I know the stunningness of the temperate rainforest we are blessed with here in beautiful British Columbia is still present in all conditions but most days I am a wimp. I much prefer a hot, sunny, clear day, especially if I’m heading up into the alpine. It’s so defeating climbing meters upon meters only to find oneself staring out at clouds instead of the phenomenal expansive vista of mountaintops and valleys the trail report promised you. It has taken me a few years but I have finally figured out the recipe for creating the perfect hiking plan – factoring in predicted weather, anticipated snow levels and progressively increasing grade for a smooth transition from the cozy but soft winter bod into the ultimate end of summer weekend warrior.

Here is my plan by month, hoping to tackle 1-2 of these hikes near Vancouver each weekend.

MARCH

Teapot Hill

Norvan Falls

Polytrichum Lookout

APRIL

Mount Galiano

High Knoll

Jug Island

Burnaby Mountain

MAY

Tunnel Bluffs

Cypress Lake

Cheakamus Lake

Lindsay Lake

Al’s Habrich

JUNE

Mount Elphinstone

Upper Pierce Lake

Kalulua Trail

Crown Mountain

Mount Brunswick

JULY

Watersprite Lake

Needle Peak

Flora Lake

Twin Lakes – Haylmore Melvin Divide

Skyline I

AUGUST

Mount Assiniboine

Phillip’s Ridge

Cirque Lake

SEPTEMBER

Dogtooth Traverse

Chain Lakes Loop

Yellow Aster Butte

Note I have hiked quite extensively around the region so there are many, many more trails perfect for each month but I have probably already hiked them so they are not listed here. For a full list of hikes click here.

To keep up the momentum mid-week, some of the faster and shorter post-work sweat sessions I do on a regular include the Grouse Grind, BCMC, Quarry Rock, Whyte Lake, Velodrome Trail, Coquitlam Crunch and Dog Mountain.

Stay tuned for photos and trail reports on each by following us on Instagram and Facebook.